Battle of S/PDIF vs USB: which is better?

[cheapsoundguy]

@amirm

Would you be willing to redo this test with the most modern equipment available?

E.g. a XMOS 208 or XMOS 216 USB based USB DAC vs a PCIE card with SPDIF out? (I think Creative still makes such a card).

Edit: It appears the last sound cards with Coax output have been discontinued. So this is basically an academic question at this point...

 

[Sal1950]

Personally I'd love to see an upgraded optical system, I aways loved Toslink for it's total isolation from ground issues, radiated noise and such. A newer system that would handle the highest rates for PCM and DSD is needed now for complete compatibliy with today sources.. My PC > Emotiva DC1 will handle 192 reliably as long as I keep the cable short (no more than about 1 meter).

 

[Trell]

@amirm

Would you be willing to redo this test with the most modern equipment available?

E.g. a XMOS 208 or XMOS 216 USB based USB DAC vs a PCIE card with SPDIF out? (I think Creative still makes such a card).

Edit: It appears the last sound cards with Coax output have been discontinued. So this is basically an academic question at this point...

You can find such PCIE cards in the pro audio segment. RME have such cards, has many features you might not need, and they are expensive.

I don’t think it will change amirm conclusion that much, if at all.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Personally I'd love to see an upgraded optical system, I aways loved Toslink for it's total isolation from ground issues, radiated noise and such.

Are you aware of the Corning Optical cables? Aside from being inconveniently too long.........

USB 3.Optical™ Cables | OEM Optical Communication Solutions | Corning

USB 3.Optical™ Cables by Corning connects computers and devices at incredible speed and over longer distances. They’re thin, light and remarkably tough — Optical Cables by Corning can be bent, squeezed, and tangled.

www.corning.com

 

[Blumlein 88]

The original idea for USB 3.0 was to make the data carrying portion fiber optic on all the cables. I think a combination of expense, and the fact such cables are not conducive to sharp bending made them drop it as they developed wired methods to get the same and eventually even fast data transfer.

 

[Trell]

The original idea for USB 3.0 was to make the data carrying portion fiber optic on all the cables. I think a combination of expense, and the fact such cables are not conducive to sharp bending made them drop it as they developed wired methods to get the same and eventually even fast data transfer.

And USB 2 works very well for audio and can have longer cables with no issue.

 

[wwenze]

How about USB to SPDIF converter and get the worst of both worlds?

 

[Trell]

How about USB to SPDIF converter and get the worst of both worlds?

That is not a given that it will not work well . In fact this is how I’ve connected my RME UCX II audio interface to me RME ADI-2 DAC when I use it (ADAT instead of TOSLINK). I play audio to the UCX via USB and the DAC does it’s job. When I’m not using the UCX I play directly to the ADI-2.

 

[Blumlein 88]

How about USB to SPDIF converter and get the worst of both worlds?

No reason for this to automatically be so. I've a couple that work just fine. I forget if it is this thread or another where I show the jitter FFT's of Toslink and SPDIF from a USB to digital converter which has both outputs. They give identical results at the analog output of the DAC. Meaning the method of connection has no effect on the result.

 

[Overseas]

In lay terms and considering the topic, what about streaming by phone via USB OTG?
1. Anathema
2. Very good
3. Mehhh, not the best